Drill bit holder/bit change-over device

ABSTRACT

A holder ( 1 ) for bits ( 2 ) which can retain and store a number of screw bits ( 2 ). The holder ( 1 ) is executed in an elastic material such as the elastomer PUR, for example. A number of holes of a suitable dimension (approx. 6 mm) are made in the holder ( 1 ), facilitating the bits ( 2 ) to be pressed into the holes for retention. The bits ( 2 ) are placed with the visible tip ( 4 ) inwards and with the socket ( 3 ) outwards, thereby making it possible to get hold of the socket ( 3 ) with the magnetic bit holder ( 6 ). The bits ( 2 ) can be pressed tightly into the holes by means of the rotating action of the powered screwdriver ( 5 ), which reduces friction. When the rotation stops, the bits ( 2 ) are retained in the holder ( 1 ), and the magnetic bit holder ( 6 ) can be freed of the bit ( 2 ). Likewise, the bits ( 2 ) should be freed from the holder ( 1 ) again by means of the rotating action of the powered screwdriver  5  together with a light pull of the magnetic bit holder ( 6 ). The holder ( 1 ) must be suitable for keeping in a pocket, alternatively for fastening on clothing, a belt, the powered screwdriver etc.

The invention describes a holder 1, FIG. 1 for storing and retaining a number of drill bits 2, which are used for screwing in and unscrewing screws.

The bits 2 are used together with a magnetic bit holder 6, FIG. 3, which is mounted on a powered screwdriver 5, FIG. 4.

The bits are inserted into the magnetic bit holder 6, and screws can now be driven into or dismounted from a material such as wood, for example.

Holders available on the market today consist mostly of a kind of box or container which must be retrieved and opened, and then the bit must be changed manually from the box to the magnetic bit holder or vice versa when changing to a screw with a different slot.

Two hands are needed to carry out the change-over. The change-over is relatively awkward and time-consuming; the bits are small and can be difficult to keep hold of. Often, the bits will end in a pocket together with other bits, and this presents the problem of finding the correct one at the next bit change-over.

The invention will be explained in detail below referring to the drawing, on which

FIG. 1, full-size and in profile, shows a holder for screw bits according to the invention,

FIG. 2, at a reduced scale, shows a holder for screw bits according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a magnetic bit holder, and

FIG. 4 shows a powered screwdriver.

The special feature achieved by this invention is keeping the bits 2 in one place, as well as being able to change a bit 2 without holding it manually. You can keep the powered screwdriver in your working hand and take the holder 1 with the other hand.

The holder 1 could also be attached to clothing, a belt, an arm and so on. It could be fastened using a clip, a buckle, Velcro or similar. It will be possible to effect the change-over using only one hand, namely the hand holding the powered screwdriver 4. This may be essential if you need the other hand to hold on when working on a ladder, for example.

The changeover will be fast and it will be easy to find the correct bit 2, as the tip 4 of the bit 2 is visible.

The holder 1 is executed in an elastic material which regains its shape and is durable. The holder 1 could be executed in an elastomeric material such as PUR.

The holder 1 has been provided With holes of a dimension which will retain the bits 2 (approximately 6 m/m). The bits 2 are positioned with the sockets 3 outwards, thereby facilitating getting hold of the socket 3 with the magnetic bit holder 6, and with the tip 4 visibly inwards.

The holder may assume alternative shapes depending on whether it will be kept in a pocket, on a belt, or whether it will be attached to clothing or maybe to the powered screwdriver 6 etc.

The bits 2 are retained in the holder 1 because the hole is smaller than the dimension of the individual bit 2, whereby the elastic material will squeeze around the bit 2 and retain it in the holder 1. To deposit the bit 2 in the holder 1, the tip 4 is inserted into the hole of the holder 1 and by letting the powered screwdriver 5 rotate slightly, the bit can be pressed into the hole. When the bit 2 rotates, the friction between the bit 2 and the elastic material will decrease, and one can easily press the bit 2 into place in the holder 1 where it will remain firmly in place when the rotating stops, sufficiently to enable the magnetic bit holder 6 to be freed from the bit 2 which will then be deposited into the holder 1.

To free the bit 2 from the holder 1, the magnetic bit holder 6 is once more placed over the bit 2 and the powered screwdriver 5 is allowed to rotate slightly. When the bit 2 rotates, the elastic material will (with a slight pull) and due to the bit's shape automatically push the bit 2 free of the holder, and the bit 2 will be repositioned in the magnetic bit holder 6.

The holder may be executed in an elastomeric material such as PUR. The illustrated holder 1, FIG. 1 is executed by cutting both shape and holes from a 15 mm sheet of PUR. In the event of production, the holder can be extruded in the same material. The holder is developed to function with bits 2 and magnetic bit holders 6 presently available on the market.

The holder may assume several alternative shapes and be provided with a clip, buckle or other device whereby it can be attached to clothing, a belt and so on.

Text items such as bit dimension could be embossed on to the holder in the extruding process. 

1. A drill bit holder comprising an elastic material in which holes of suitable dimensions are made, thereby facilitating the retention of a number of screw bits (2) in a satisfactory manner, wherein the bits (2) are positioned with a visible tip (4) inwards and with the socket (3) outwards, making it possible to change bits (2) directly with the magnetic bit holder (6) by moving the magnetic bit holder (6) from one bit (2) to another.
 2. The drill bit holder according to claim 1, characterized by being executed in an elastic material making it possible to press the bits (2) tightly into the hole by using the rotation action from the powered screwdriver (5), the bits (2) being retained so that the magnetic bit holder can be freed (6).
 3. The drill bit holder according to claim 1, characterized by being executed in an elastic material which enables the bit (2) to be pulled free from the holder (1) by the magnetic bit holder (6), by using the rotating action of the powered screwdriver (5).
 4. The drill bit holder according to claim 1, characterized by its suitability for being kept in a pocket, fastened to clothing, an arm, a belt, a powered screwdriver etc. 